How Do Consumers Feel About Drones Delivering Their Packages?

Some are concerned about theft and overall safety

Consumers have choices when it comes to how the products they purchase are delivered to them, and drones may be another preference to add to the list. According to February 2016 research, more than three-quarters of US internet users are at least somewhat likely to select drones as a delivery option.

Walker Sands Communications surveyed 1,433 US internet users ages 18 and older. Respondents were asked about the likelihood they would select drones as a delivery option assuming drones could deliver the package within an hour. For the most part, respondents said it was at least somewhat likely.

More than a third (39%) of internet users said it was somewhat likely, and 40% said it was very likely. However, there were respondents who didn’t really feel the same way. For example, 11% of internet users said they were somewhat unlikely to select drones as a delivery option even if they could deliver their package within an hour. And 9% of respondents said they were very unlikely.

Perhaps this hesitation is because some consumers don’t trust drones as a delivery option. The study also looked at reasons why users didn’t trust them. The responses were fairly consistent compared to how users felt a year ago.

In 2015, 74% of internet users said they didn’t trust drones as a delivery option because of safety concerns. In 2016, 68% of respondents felt the same way. Similarly, in 2015, 64% of users said they did not trust drones because of privacy concerns. This year, 60% of respondents felt the same way.

However, there were some changes compared to last year. For instance, last year, 69% of internet users said cost was one of the reasons they did not trust drones. In 2016, fewer respondents—52%—felt the same way.

But more consumers are concerned about theft than they were last year, as well as damaged packages.